2024‘s Best Cat Treats for Kittens & Reasons Why You Should Offer Healthy Treats

Aren’t kittens too young to eat some crunchy treats? Well, it turns out that they are not. In fact, there are specifically formulated healthy kitten treats that are beneficial for growing cats.

And in this article, we’ll talk about some of the best cat treats for kittens that would make your tiny furry balls purr with delight.

Introducing a Kitten Treat to Your Baby

As an excited new kitty parent, you might be so thrilled to hoard dozens of chewy cat treats for your feline friend, but that isn’t really a practical idea. This is especially true when your kitten has never eaten such a cat treat before.

Hence, when introducing any type of treats to your cat – may it be freeze dried treats, grain free cat treats, lickable treats, dry treats, soft treats, and dental treats, it’s best to buy just a few packs at first.

And besides, it’s not as if you are going to give these treats to your cat the way you would with regular kitten food. 

Generally speaking, treats should only be given in moderation. To be exact, it should only account for 10% of your cat’s daily caloric intake.

Also, treats, just like regular cat food, should be introduced gradually. This way you can observe how your kitten’s body reacts, and you will know whether your cats love this particular kitten treat or not.

So, whichever angle you see it, buying treats in bulk isn’t really a good idea.

Importance of Healthy Cat Treats for Kittens 

A tasty and healthy treat is a many splendored thing for your cat – it can help with his training, prevent plaque and tartar buildup, assist in the administration of some medications, strengthen your cuddle and playtime or simply act as a reward for being such an adorable fluffy furry companion.

And to say that cats love treats is an understatement, they adore treats so much that they would easily jolt from sleep whenever they hear the rattle of their cat treats container.

Kittens and adult cats could eat treats all day every day, and that’s where our role as cat owners comes into play. As their pet parents, it’s our responsibility to limit their treat time, and only give treats in moderation.

And of course, even the best kitten treat out there is no match for the best kitten food in keeping your pet healthy and strong.

Also, feeding kittens too much treats regularly is not good for your kitten’s health as it can lead to obesity and other health problems.

This is pretty much expected given that most treats are high in fat, and are rich in fillers, which are mainly carbohydrates.

These fillers hardly offer nutritional value to your cat’s diet. Hence, these can be regarded as empty calories that could predispose your cat to unhealthy weight gain.  

10 Best Cat Treats for Kittens Today

1. Whole Life Just One Ingredient Pure Chicken Breast
2. Hartz Delectables Bisque Tuna & Chicken
3. Get Naked Kitten Health Soft Cat Treats
4. Blue Buffalo Kitty Cravings
5. Pet Greens Cat Craves Roasted Chicken
6. Wellness Kittles Chicken & Cranberries Recipe
7. Greenies Pill Pockets Feline Chicken Flavor
8. Cat-Man-Doo Bow Wow Bonito Treats
9. Castor & Pollux Organix Chicken Flavor
10. Blue Buffalo Bursts With Savory Seafood

1. Whole Life Just One Ingredient Pure Chicken Breast

Only ingredient: 100% Pure Chicken Breast

Spoil your young furry buddy by giving him delicious and nutritious kitten treats with Whole Life Just One Ingredient Freeze-Dried Cat Treats.

Made with only 100% real chicken, this human-grade freeze-dried cat treat is an excellent source of low-fat animal protein, vitamins, and minerals, which makes it a purr-fect reward, meal topper, or snack for your growing kittens.

This tasty cat treat features chicken as its only ingredient, making it an ideal choice for kittens with sensitivities or food allergies. It is also gluten-free and grain-free, and it is free from artificial flavors, additives, and preservatives.

Simply serve these treats straight from the bag and your kitty friend will gladly feast on the treats’ crunchy texture and mouthwatering flavor.

You can also add them on top of your kitten’s food to lure him to eating his meal, or soak the treats in water for a minute to bring them back to their soft and meaty texture – whichever way you choose, your kitten is sure to purr with joy and satisfaction.

2. Hartz Delectables Bisque Tuna & Chicken

First 5 ingredients: Water, Tuna, Chicken, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Chicken Fat

When it comes to treats, you’ve got to give your kitten something irresistible. Cat treats should be that special that your kitten will go running towards you the moment he sees you holding his all-time favorite reward.

And that’s exactly what Hartz Delectable Bisque Tuna & Chicken Kitten Lickable Treat is – it’s every kitten’s favorite prize.

This treat comes in succulent puree form using a tasty formula that is made with real tuna and chicken. Each pack is filled with nutrient-dense puree loaded with vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients. So, it can be a perfect addition to your kitten’s 100% nutritionally complete and balanced diet.

And since it comes in a lickable puree form, this treat is also rich in moisture to keep your growing cat hydrated while he is enjoying this treat as a snack, reward, or meal topper. 

3. Get Naked Kitten Health Soft Cat Treats

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Vegetable Glycerin, Water, Algae Meal

Our cats only pass by the kitten stage once, so as cat parents, we should give them all the nutrients that they need so they can grow as healthy cats and as they are growing, their bodies can also keep up with their highly energetic persona.

Hence, providing them with the best nutrients doesn’t stop with their meals, but it should also extend to their treats.

And if your kitten has unique needs or sensitivities, you should also put in extra effort to look for food and treats that won’t trigger an allergic response or any untoward reaction.

Get Naked Kitten Health Treats are specially formulated to address the needs of kittens who have sensitivities to grains.

This all-natural treat features chicken as its #1 ingredient, and it contains DHA omega-3 fatty acids to promote your kitten’s cognitive development and overall health.

These heart-shaped treats are also great for your kitten’s teeth, and each chewable piece only contains three calories to keep your kitten at a healthy body weight appropriate for his age and activity level.

4. Blue Buffalo Kitty Cravings

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal

Worried that your kittens would grow as overweight cats from eating too much treats? Well, it’s not as if you are going to give them treats all the time.

But still, to soothe your anxiety you can check out kitten treats that contain lesser calories and no fillers that would just bulk up your feline companion.

With Blue Buffalo Kitty Cravings you can sit back and relax while giving your kittens their delectable treats since each piece of this treat contains only two calories.

What’s more, this tasty treat uses wholesome ingredients and is devoid of by-product meal, dried meat by-products, and wheat.

It also features real chicken as its number one ingredient along with chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal, and peas. And it is free from corn, soy, and artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.

5. Pet Greens Cat Craves Roasted Chicken

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Rice Flour, Barley Flour, Vegetable Glycerin, Maple Syrup

If you are looking for a greener and more affordable option for your pet’s treats, then, you’d better check out Pet Greens Cat Craves Roasted Chicken Semi-Moist Kitten Treats.

These wholesome treats are made with real chicken as the first ingredient, and each bite is infused with wheatgrass, a natural source of natural fiber to support your cat’s overall health.

These bite-sized treats are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients so your kitten can stay healthy, strong, and full of energy as he runs, jumps, and meows his way to adulthood.

Additionally, these tasty semi-moist treats are filled with moisture to keep your kitten hydrated, and each piece is loaded with fiber and antioxidants to help control hairball and promote healthy digestion.

These treats are also free from by-products, soy, corn, wheat, gluten, artificial preservatives, and flavors paw-rfect for your kitty companions with sensitivities.  

6. Wellness Kittles Chicken & Cranberries Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Chickpeas, Peas

Express your love to your kittens by treating them to some Kittles. Your feline baby will surely go head-over-paws for Wellness KittlesChicken and Cranberries Recipe crunchy kitty treats.

These delicious, all-natural, crunchy treats are made with deboned chicken, cranberries, and blueberries.

This “berry”-licious treat contains only two calories, which makes it an ideal reward for kittens that are already starting to put on unhealthy weight gain.

The perfect crunch of each treat is also beneficial in keeping your kitten’s teeth clean. What’s more, this all-natural treat is also free from meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

And aside from being grain-free, it is also gluten-free and is devoid of wheat, soy, or corn.

7. Greenies Pill Pockets Feline Chicken Flavor

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Glycerin, Wheat Flour, Wheat Gluten, Vegetable Oil

Are you having a hard time administering your kitten’s pills? Well, you are not alone.

But the good thing is that, just like with other pet parents, you can now breathe well knowing that your cat can already swallow his pill with ease and without having even the slightest scratch from your feisty kitty companion.

Feline Greenies Pill Pockets Chicken Flavor Cat Treats offer a hassle-free way of giving your kitten his due medicines.

Each treat comes with a built-in pouch and shapeable texture. So, simply sneak in your cat’s pill inside, pinch the top portion, and give it to your smitten kitten.

With Feline Greenies Pill Pocket, your cat’s medication time can be his much-awaited treat time.

And what’s more, each tasty treat is made with natural ingredients and contains minerals and trace nutrients. It is also free from artificial flavors, preservatives, and fillers. 

8. Cat-Man-Doo Bow Wow Bonito Treats

Only ingredient: 100% Dried Bonito

Made from a single source of animal protein, these dried bonito flakes are a tasty and healthy choice when rewarding your feline buddy or adding flavor and texture to his own food.

Cat-Man-Doo Bow Wow Bonito Cat Treats is a high-protein, grain-free, and limited ingredient kitten treats perfect for young fur balls with sensitivities.

With these fish flakes, you will feel confident that you are rewarding your kittens right. These tasty goodies are high in protein, low in calories and fat, which make them a healthier prize to your kittens compared with other treats. 

This treat is also free from additives or preservatives and is loaded with natural fish oils that can help keep your kitten’s fur healthy, shiny, and beautiful.

9. Castor & Pollux Organix Chicken Flavor 

First 5 ingredients: Organic Chicken, Organic Peas, Organic Brown Rice, Organic Oats, Organic Barley

With only one calorie per treat, Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Cat Treats Chicken Recipe isn’t just an all-natural treat, but it’s also a great option to keep your cat at a healthy weight.

Nonetheless, even if it contains the least calories per treat in this list, you should still give these treats to your cat in moderation so it won’t affect his appetite come mealtime and mess with his nutrition.

This all-natural tasty treat is a pure delight for your kitten, and each crunchy bite is packed with nutrients coming from 95% organic ingredients with organic free-range chicken on the top of the list.

This recipe is also free from corn, wheat, and soy. And the ingredients are produced without using synthetic fillers, chemical pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics, and artificial preservatives.

10. Blue Buffalo Bursts With Savory Seafood 

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Brown Rice, Tuna Meal, Barley, Pork Fat

Treat your kittens to these amazing cat treats that are crunchy on the outside and bursting with flavor on the inside.

Letting your cat nibble on Blue Buffalo Bursts Seafood Cat Treats is the perfect way to say how much you love him. With this treat’s rich flavor and dual playful texture, your cat is sure to go crazy for treat time every day.

This tasty treat features deboned salmon as the first ingredient along with brown rice, tuna meal, barley, and pork fat for its top ingredients.

Your witty kitty knows when something is fishy with his treat, so, it’s important that you get it right from the start. And good thing that you can’t be wrong with Blue Buffalo Bursts Seafood Cat Treats.

Made in the USA and packed in resealable pouches or seal-tight jars, you can take these goodies anywhere you go with your kitten.

What’s more, each crunchy, savory, and creamy bite is free from poultry by-products, corn, wheat, soy, artificial preservatives, or flavors.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Treats for Kittens?

As obligate carnivores, cats thrive on a diet that is high in meat. So, even if a kitten treat is only given as a reward or a snack, we still recommend that you look for products that contain more than 35% of protein if possible.

This way, you can ensure that your kitten is getting good nutrition during the early stage of his growth and development.

When checking the label of a certain product, you should also look for whole meats, and it’s best if they are among the first five ingredients.

Some of the whole meats that you can expect to see are chicken, salmon, or turkey, without other terms attached to it such as “byproduct.”

Once you’ve cited whole meats in the ingredients, then, you can now look out for meat by-product, or also called “meat meal.”

This is made up of dried ground meat, and it usually has a long shelf life. Meat byproducts are not harmful to cats, and companies use these ingredients to boost the protein levels in the recipe.

Contrary to popular belief, fat isn’t that bad. In fact, cats also need fat in their diet. Most experts recommend 18 to 35% of fats in your cat’s diet.

Some fats, such as omega fatty acids can help your kitten get better vision, a stronger nervous system, and a healthier heart. These good fats also nourish your cat’s skin and help promote a healthy coat.

You should also look for essential vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients in your kitten’s treats. Calcium is also crucial for a kitten’s development.

This mineral helps in producing stronger bones and teeth. And as an electrolyte, calcium has an important role in transmitting impulses or signals throughout the body.

Another important nutrient that is helpful for kittens is taurine. This amino acid can help support your cat’s vision, as well as promote healthy digestion.

Moreover, it is also equally important to watch out for ingredients that you need to avoid in your cat’s treats. Some of these unhealthy ingredients include chemical preservatives, soy and corn, and artificial dyes.

The common chemical preservatives include ter-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Many experts believe that BHT and BHA can cause cancer in cats and dogs.

Corn and soy are also not naturally part of a cat’s diet. The presence of these ingredients in cat foods and treats can often upset a cat’s digestive system and cause vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and constipation. Also, corn and soy are essentially empty calories that are added to pet foods and treats as fillers.

Additionally, artificial dyes can be dangerous to cats, especially Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, and Blue 2. These dyes can stimulate a hypersensitivity reaction in cats that manifests like an allergic reaction.

Finally, if your cat is allergic to grains, it’s best to only purchase grain free cat treats to ensure your kitten’s safety.

This also applies if your cat is allergic to certain animal proteins, such as chicken, and beef. There are several cat treats out there that use alternative animal proteins such as salmon, lamb, and so on.

Why Should You Offer Healthy Treats to Your Kitten?

Cats, just like us, humans, can be motivated by a lot of things from praise to the chance of diving into a new opportunity, or even by playtime. But most often, cats are driven by the simplest gratification from their favorite food treats.

So, if you are planning to start training your kitten, you should start by motivating them to participate. And you can do that with the help of cat treats.

While not all cats are easily lured by the mouthwatering smell and flavor of these tasty treats, most cats are. And chances are, your kittens are, too. So, don’t hesitate to shake your cat’s treat jar to capture his attention.

Also, training with the aid of cat treats is more effective before mealtime, as this is the time when your kitten is mostly motivated by food.

Apparently, when your cat has just eaten his cat food, chances are he would still be busy grooming himself after, and he might be too full, yet to be attracted to these treats.

Aside from acting as a reward for your cat’s positive behavior or as motivation during training, cat treats can also be used to reduce plaque and tartar buildup, thereby preventing dental disease and promoting your cat’s dental health.

However, most dental treats are specially made for cats 1 year of age or older. In this case, it’s best to ask your vet for a go signal before handing these dental treats to your kitten even if they feature the Veterinary Oral Health Council Seal of Acceptance.

Another important use of cat treats is in the administration of medications. One of the habits that kitten owners should develop with their cats at an early age is taking their meds regularly. However, most kitten parents are not able to do so for various reasons.

While some cats are used to taking vitamins and supplements daily, most cats are not. So, if your feline friend runs away the moment he sees or smells his medication, using cat treats to conceal the medication can trick your cat into taking his much-needed due medications.

There are even specially designed cat treats with a hole inside where you can put your cat’s pill. Or if these treats won’t work, you can also try using lickable treats, instead. Many cat owners prefer lickable treats in administering liquid medication.

The trick is by sandwiching the liquid medication inside a syringe. To start, get your syringe and aspirate some lickable treats, and then aspirate your cat’s syrup before aspirating another round of lickable treats.

As a result, the content of your syringe will be divided into three: lickable treat, medication, and lickable treat. Of course, it’s best to consult your vet about this first and notify him what cat treat you are going to use.

Pet owners would also agree that sometimes, no matter how palatable a food is, some picky cats wouldn’t just eat it. Considering that you’ve properly introduced a new cat food to your cat’s diet, but still, he won’t eat it with as much enthusiasm as his previous food, then, you can incorporate some treats into his food.

You can try adding tastier wet food or cat treats on top of his kibbles. However, if you are going to give a larger serving of treats to your cat, you should only do it once or twice a week to ensure that your cat’s health won’t be compromised.

Providing your cat with the best pet nutrition is still the top priority. And that’s also why even cat treats are only given occasionally, you should still choose wisely and consider your cat’s overall health and welfare in the long run.